Baltimore’s Best Places for Buying and Selling Used Bikes

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Baltimore is a great place to ride a bike. The city has hundreds of miles of bike lanes, greenways, and trails, including the Jones Falls Trail and the Gwynns Falls Trail. Many neighborhoods have bike-friendly streets, and cycling is often faster than driving downtown during busy hours.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a used bicycle in Baltimore, you’re in luck. The city has several shops and programs that make it easy to find a good deal, trade in a bike, or pass one along to the next rider. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or clearing out your basement, this guide will point you to the best spots to buy and sell used bikes in Baltimore—without the guesswork or the hassle.

Places to Buy Used Bikes:

Dirt Rooster Bicycles – An employee-owned shop located at 35 Mellor Avenue in Catonsville (part of the Baltimore metro area), known for its strong focus on mountain biking, friendly knowledgeable staff, and reliable customer service. The shop carries both new and used bicycles—including pre-owned road, mountain, and kids’ bikes—offering customers a selection of refurbished or trade-in bikes alongside new inventory.

Baltimore Bicycle Works – A worker-owned cooperative located at 1813 Falls Road, offering both new and professionally tuned-up used bicycles, with any worn parts like tires, chains, and cables replaced before sale. Their used bike inventory rotates often—customers are encouraged to check their Used Bikes page, Instagram page, or pop into the shop to see what’s available and get personalized assistance.

Velocipede Bike Project – A volunteer-run nonprofit that refurbishes donated bikes—completely overhauling many with cleaned bearings, replaced cables, brake pads, and proper adjustments—and sells them at low-cost during Open Shop hours. They also offer less-extensively repaired used bikes that are safety-checked and operational, whether nearly new or ready-to-ride, depending on the donation and need. Additional info:

• Runs an Open Shop where for a small fee ($10) or volunteering time, visitors can repair their own bikes with access to tools and guidance
• Provides community education via hands-on maintenance workshops and classes, including vintage bicycle mechanics training
• Accepts donated adult bicycles and parts which volunteers refurbish for sale or reuse

Play It Again Sports – Buys and sells quality used bikes alongside sporting goods—when you walk in they typically have a rotating selection of pre-owned bicycles available, depending on local trade-ins and availability.

Joe’s Bike Shop – Sometimes takes in older or higher-mileage bikes and offer them at reduced prices when they’re still road-worthy.

Places to Sell Used Bikes

9 Bears BuySell – An online marketplace for cycling as well as snow sports. Easy and fast to list items for sale.

College Park Bicycles – Located just outside Baltimore in College Park, runs a trade-in program: bring in your old bike and leave with a new one via store credit or purchase discount.

Trek Bicycle Baltimore (Federal Hill) – Offers a “Red Barn Refresh” trade-in program: you can turn in your old Trek bicycle and receive store credit toward purchasing a new one.

Baltimore Bicycle Works – Sometimes takes trade-ins. Not officially listed on their website, but local forum users have mentioned this is the case.

OfferUp – Used platform listing bikes at varied price points depending on condition and demand.

Facebook – List your used bike for sale

Tips for Buying Used Bikes

1. Check the frame for cracks or dents.
   A damaged frame can be unsafe and costly to repair.
2. Test the brakes and shifting.
   Ride the bike, if possible, and make sure everything functions properly.
3. Look up the bike’s original price.
   Knowing the MSRP helps you judge if the seller’s price is reasonable.
4. Make sure the frame size fits you.
   Measure your inseam or compare to a bike you already ride—fit matters more than color.
5. Ask for the bike’s service history or upgrades.
   Knowing if the chain, tires, or cassette were recently replaced helps assess its condition.
6. Check the wheels for wobbles.
   Spin each wheel—if it wobbles side to side, it may need truing or replacement.

Tips for Selling Used Bikes

1. Clean the bike before selling.
   A tidy bike shows you took care of it—and can make it sell faster.
2. Use clear photos in your listing.
   Good lighting and full-bike shots help buyers trust your post.
3. Meet in a public place for exchanges.
   Choose somewhere safe like a park, coffee shop lot, or near a bike shop.
4. Write a clear and honest description.
   List the frame size, condition, any upgrades, and anything that doesn’t work perfectly.
5. Price it based on condition and recent sales.
   Search listings for similar bikes to avoid pricing too high or too low.
6. Be ready to answer sizing or fit questions.
   Buyers may not know what size they need—help them if you can.